29 May 2025

Louisiana Mosquito Festival

2025-05-29T13:48:23-05:00

On Saturday, October 25, support local firemen and celebrate Louisiana’s unofficial state bird, the mosquito, at the Louisiana Mosquito Festival. This inaugural event takes place at Landon Pitre Memorial Park in Cankton and will feature live music from talented local musicians, a delicious cook-off, blood drive, silent auction, vendors and children’s activities.

Headlining the event will be Richard LeBeouf, but you can also catch performances by Rory Suire & Closing Time, Caramel Cowboy Raikwon Green, Honky Tonk Mike Broussard, Dylan Aucoin, and Hunter Courville & Cajun Fever.

Children’s activities include buzz competitions, coloring pages, mosquito wrangling as well as fun jumps, and arts & crafts.

Come on out and have a good time!

Louisiana Mosquito Festival2025-05-29T13:48:23-05:00
8 May 2025

Canoe Races & Anything Over Rice Cook-Off

2025-05-08T12:11:13-05:00

The Canoe Races and Anything Over Rice Cook-Off is a full day of fun on Saturday, June 21 at the Bayou Courtableau Boat Ramp in Port Barre. There will be things to do for all ages with kids activities as well as music, food, and drinks available throughout the day. The cook-off starts at 8am which judging beginning at 1pm and winners announced at 2pm. There’s a category for People’s Choice, so make sure you come hungry and vote for your favorite.

The canoe races start at 10:30am with trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each age category which range from 5 years old and up. It’s a fun way to get out and enjoy the outdoors while exploring the Bayou Courtableau where it merges into the Bayou Teche.

This event is presented by the Port Barre Lions Club. For more information and to register for the cook-off, visit here. To register for the canoe races, visit here.

Canoe Races & Anything Over Rice Cook-Off2025-05-08T12:11:13-05:00
11 Apr 2025

Le Grande Boucherie de Mallet

2025-04-11T10:39:43-05:00

Celebrate the traditional music and food of Louisiana on May 3rd  in the small community of Mallet, located just outside of Opelousas.

A boucherie is a community coming together to harvest an animal. Due to the intensive labor involved in whole animal butchering, a farmer would call upon friends, family, and neighbors to assist in the task. This day of work turns into a celebration, with plenty of food, music, and spirits to go around. No one went home hungry or empty-handed. With the lack of refrigeration, this was the only time that fresh meat could be consumed. Most of the meat butchered at a boucherie was processed with the intent of preservation, with the understanding that not a single aspect of the sacrificed beast would be wasted.

At Le Grande Boucherie De Mallet experience this traditional event and eat pork stew, cracklins, and BBQ from a freshly harvested and prepared pig. DJ stars at 11am, then, at 2pm dance to zydeco musicians Wayne Singleton, JoJo Reed, and Alphonse Ardoin as they perform live.

It’s a day of live music, food, drinks, family fun, and games.

Le Grande Boucherie de Mallet2025-04-11T10:39:43-05:00
10 Mar 2025

Culture, Cuiture et Chansons

2025-03-10T13:39:01-05:00

The National Park Service and Louisiana Folk Roots, with support in part by St. Martin Parish Tourism, will host a day of French language learning activities on March 24th to kick off the 2025 Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Week at the Prairie Acadian Culture Center in Eunice. This event is open and FREE to the public and will be accessible to all French speaking levels.

It will be an immersive experience incorporating the French language with activities such as making traditional Creole dishes with Rebecca Henry, a well-known Creole culture bearer and native French speaker. Participants will also have the opportunity to play, sing, and learn songs in French from the talented Renée Reed.

We are excited to partner with the Prairie Acadian Culture Center and NPS for this event as they re-open their facilities in Eunice after a few years of being shuttered for improvements. What better way to kick off a week of Cajun and Creole culture, music, and language sharing at Balfa Camp than right down the road at Lakeview Park in Eunice!

Registration is required, limited spots available.

Culture, Cuiture et Chansons2025-03-10T13:39:01-05:00
4 Dec 2024

Cajun Christmas at Mr. Tony’s Country Store

2024-12-04T16:14:34-06:00

Mr. Tony’s Country Store in Opelousas, Louisiana invites you to celebrate the holiday season with their Cajun Christmas celebration. Join them on Tuesday, December 10th, from 3pm-7pm for an afternoon of holiday cheer, local flavor, and festive fun.

Mr. Tony’s Country Store is located right outside of Tony Chachere’s manufacturing plant at 5604 I-49 N. Service Road in Opelousas. It’s the perfect place to get in the holiday spirit. Whether you’re looking for seasoning blends, gift items, or just a holiday memory to cherish. They have something for everyone.

This year’s Cajun Christmas will offer free tasting of some of Tony Chachere’s Famous Creole Cuisine, holiday music, plus exclusive discounts and giveaways to get you in the holiday spirit. Local author Julie Hooks will be on hand to sign copies of her children’s book, Hannah Bear and Lulu’s Festival to Remember.

Don’t miss a special visit from Santa himself. Santa Claus will be at the store at approximately 5pm, available for photos and holiday cheer. Bring your little ones to share their Christmas wishes and capture a photo with the big guy.

Tony’s Country Store:

Hours Through Christmas Day
Monday-Friday 9am-4pm
Saturday 8am-12pm
Cajun Christmas at Mr. Tony’s Country Store2024-12-04T16:14:34-06:00
19 Sep 2024

Anything Beef Cook-Off

2024-09-19T14:19:26-05:00

On Saturday, October 19th from 9am to 4pm, head to Sunset, Louisiana for the Anything Beef Cook-Off. Enjoy beef dishes as well as activities for the kids including fun jumps and face painting. There will also be a booth for sweets and cold drinks.

If you’re interested in participating in the cook-off, registration is $50. Contact Hank Mergist at 337-852-7724 or Lisa Mergist at 337-412-1978 for more details

Proceeds from this event go to benefit eh Sunset Mardi Gras Kidz Wagon Parade.

Anything Beef Cook-Off2024-09-19T14:19:26-05:00
5 Sep 2024

Holy Family Church Bazaar

2024-09-05T11:30:24-05:00

Enjoy food, fun, and games at the Holy Family Church Bazaar in Lawtell. Games include an obstacle course, dunking booth, miniature train rides, duck pond game, and a baseball toss game.

Food booths include BBQ pork and chicken, pies, ice cream, funnel fries, boudin, pecan candy, and more!

Live Music performances start at 2pm and last till 9pm. See Mike Broussard & Nu Edition Zydeco, Cory Broussard, Jeffery Broussard & the Zydeco Cowboys, Dickie Du & DA Zydeco Crew, Lil Pookie & the Zydeco Sensations, Lil Jeff, and Lil Wayne & the Same Ol’ Two Step play live.

Holy Family Church Bazaar2024-09-05T11:30:24-05:00
4 Sep 2024

Black Pot Cook-Off & Car Show

2024-09-05T10:28:38-05:00

The Black Pot Cook-Off & Car Show is taking place on October 12 in the rural town of Mallet, Louisiana located between Lawtell and Eunice. From 9am to 3pm you can enjoy traditional Creole cooking, classic cars, bingo, and sweets for sale. For the kids, there will be fun jumps and games. 

Tickets are $10 for adults while kids 10 and under are free. For more information or to register a vehicle, contact Nelson Craven at 337-302-5479.

Black Pot Cook-Off & Car Show2024-09-05T10:28:38-05:00
26 Aug 2024

Where the Buffalo Roamed

2024-08-26T12:29:06-05:00

Yes, there were bison in Louisiana! Come out to Atelier de la Nature in Arnaudville on September 21 from 10am-1p2m about bison and their importance to the Indigenous Atakapa-Ishak People who have lived here from time immemorial. Learn about the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and the local environment from an Indigenous perspective with Jeffery U. Darensbourg, followed by a bison chili cooking demo and tasting with our very own Aurore Ballengée.

This event is free but registration is required at https://bit.ly/Prarie-Buffalo_24.

Jeffery U. Darensbourg grew up in Itta Homma (of which “Baton Rouge” is a translation) and currently resides in Bulbancha, the only name he uses to refer to what others call “New Orleans.” He works with words, crafting essays, poetry, academic articles, and public talks intertwining traditional academic research with autoethnography and memoir. He is a Louisiana Creole and an enrolled member of the Atakapa-Ishak Nation of Indians. He holds a Ph.D. in cognitive science.

Where the Buffalo Roamed2024-08-26T12:29:06-05:00
25 Mar 2024

Fête de la Chaudiere Noir – Black Pot Cook-Off

2024-09-13T14:59:29-05:00

Prepare your taste buds and mark your calendars for an unforgettable cultural experience! École Saint-Landry invites locals and visitors alike to the Fête de la Chaudiere Noir! – Black Pot Cook-off, a vibrant celebration of Louisiana’s rich heritage. The festival is scheduled to be held at the Sunset Community Center on Saturday, November 2nd starting at noon. This event promises a day filled with family-friendly activities, live music by Joe Hall & Cedric Watson and The Holiday Playgirls, and, of course, the highlight of the festival – the Black Pot Cook-Off.

Festival-goers will have the opportunity to tantalize their taste buds with an array of delectable dishes. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or simply a food enthusiast, individuals and teams are invited to showcase their culinary skills in categories such as Meat Dish, Vegetarian Dish, Dessert, and Side Dish. With both public and judge’s choice prizes, including cash rewards of up to $200 per category, the competition promises to be fierce and flavorful. The event is free but tasting tickets will be available for $10 per 5 tastings.

Link to Competitor and Vendor Application & Guidelines can be found HERE.

By participating in this event, attendees will not only enjoy a day of festivities but also contribute to the preservation of Louisiana’s cultural heritage and the advancement of education in the community. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards the renovation of the historic Sunset High, transforming it into École Saint-Landry’s upper elementary school building. École Saint-Landry is one of only three full French immersion schools in all of Louisiana. We look forward to welcoming you for a day of food, music, and community that promises to be truly unforgettable.

More about École St. Landry:
École Saint-Landry accepts students of all abilities. École Saint-Landry does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, national origin, disability or gender in its educational programs and activities (including employment and application for employment), and it is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of gender by Title IX (20 USC 168) and on the basis of disability by Section 504 (42 USC 794).

To learn more about École St. Landry or the event, contact info@ecolestlandry.org or visit ecolestlandry.org.

Fête de la Chaudiere Noir – Black Pot Cook-Off2024-09-13T14:59:29-05:00

St. Landry Parish Visitor Center
Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm

337.948.8004
978 Kennerson Road (I-49 exit 23)
P.O. Box 1415 • Opelousas, LA 70570

Visitor Guide (En)
Visitor Guide (Fr)

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